About Joseph Reginald CoopsworthBackstory:
Some people are born with wealth, Some to happy homes, and some are just fortunate enough to be born living, Joseph was born with none of these things. Joseph was birthed 17 years ago, during the Mirror Moon, to a dock side whore sick with Old Joe(syphilis for those who don't know). Purple as a grape and covered in sores he lay stillborn in the gutter near his mother's cooling corpse. A sad tale, and one that usually ends there, his blood poisoned and his life spent before it began Joseph was still lucky enough to be given a second chance. His mother's soul, blaming herself for the fate she had bestowed on her son, wailed down upon the small form. She cried forth her despair to the heavens and tried to breath life into the twisted form of her baby. Miraculously lungs stirred and coughed, heart began to pump again, blood coursed through veins but coldly. The small infant began to scream. Again luck would diverge from it's normal course and the squalling noise would draw the attention of a seamstress passing by on her way to the festival. She found the babe next to his mother's corpse, and not knowing what else to do she brought the young child to an orphanage.
During his stay in the orphanage Joseph was largely left alone by the other children. He was that strange kid who had an easier time talking to the adults, who for their part found him to be creepy as he would play with his imaginary friends(actually the spirits of children who had become trapped) and listen to the words of his long dead mother(still whispering to him as he went through his life). Many times a family would come in looking to adopt, and they would often take the time to talk to the boy, but he was never adopted. Oh he was a clever enough child, and he was very sociable when he would talk to people, but there was always something just off about the way he would look past them and smile or tell them their dead son no longer felt pain. As Joseph matured he began to learn how to blend in with people. He started to make a few friends here and there, but they never seemed to last. As it came time for his 13th birthday, the age at which all orphans become bound(a nice way of saying sold off) to a tradesman as an apprentice, Joseph decided he wanted more from life. Joseph quietly packed his meager possessions one night and just left. He took to the streets and eventually found himself a member in good standing of the Bosum Strand Beggars Guild. He learned how to disguise himself and how to listen when others thought they were unheard. As a member in good standing Joseph made a name for himself as a you face(Confidence man) and skulk(hider in shadows and hearer of words spoken in hushed terms when people think they are not being listened to). Joseph soon made a strong friend in one Reginald Fisk, the two both coming from hard luck backgrounds and having quick enough minds to hold a decent conversation. The became known as the Nalds. At the age of 16 Joseph finally found someone he could open his heart to, a young scullery maid by the name of Cassandra. Although his good friend felt it was a bad idea and had implored Joseph to reconsider, Joseph began courting the you lady and for the better part of a year he thought his world had finally found some balance. That was until he caught her with another man. Joseph poured his life savings into a ring he had noticed Cassi staring longingly at during their trip together that fine market day. Oh how it seemed to shine in excitedly in the moonlight. The warmth he felt as he walked forward, thinking of the words he would say from bended knee trying this tactic then that one over and over in his head, yes the warmth was almost enough to push back the ever present dread that forever hung at the back of his mind. The coldness of the grave and his mothers whispers that all would be for naught continued to pry at his giddy excitement. But she was wrong, what would the old shade know of this. Her whispers were never very helpful anyway, and they seemed even more distant over the last couple years. But as he turned the corner he heard sounds of deep timbered speaker followed by the light laughter of his beloved Cassandra. He could not believe the sounds he heard. He peaked around the wall he had stopped short behind and beheld a sight that would haunt him for the rest of his nights. There was the son of the noble Cassandra worked for, laying next to her in the moonlight. They were happily kissing beneath the old oak in a pile of leaves that had been swept up by the groundsman just that day. Joseph's world shattered and the howling chill touch of death crept back up his spine. How could his beloved do this to him. Did she not care for him the whole time they went out. Every gift, every meal eaten together was cast into the shadow of this betrayal. Joseph nearly wept but again felt the chill pall and calm envelope the warmth he had felt for the last few months. He calmly snuck around the wall and into the house. There he crept into the servants quarters and found his way to Cassandra's bed. He quietly wrote a note consisting of three words and one punctuation "I saw everything.", this he placed on her pillow and atop that he placed the ring. The next night, besotted with cheap ale and languishing in a humor most foul, Joseph agreed to help another young rogue(Bloody Nick) with a heist he had planned. After a long sleep taken in the dirt outside the tavern's rear door, Joseph awoke to rough hands shaking him. In a hushed tone Nick informed him it was time and told him to follow. Joseph thought better of his promise now with a sober mind, Nick was known to be reliable muscle but not good for very much else, despite this it was still a promise and Joseph would keep it. As they neared the workshop Nick told him what they were after, the old gunsmith who lived here had designed a new long barrel that could be easily repaired in field with swappable parts. This could change the way the Risuri waged war, no longer being dependent on new guns when one broke down would lighten an armies logistical load tremendously. Even better he had a working prototype, though it was a long way from being mass-producible(it would take however long it takes in zeitgeists timeline if it is in there) it would go a long way towards another shift in gun technology. Again Joseph began to rethink his choice to help this man, but again a promise was a promise no matter how much he disliked the idea of betraying his homeland to a foreign power. In seconds they had climbed the wall, even though Joseph slipped off the top and crashed to the ground hard jamming his shoulder. Mere minutes to cross to the workshop and pick the lock, even though he managed to break a pick and jab the sharp edge into his palm. They opened the door and crept a crossed the room, stubbed toe on work bench, hit head against the adjoining table after nick pushed him down for cover at a half heard sound. Joseph had to keep reminding himself that this job would pay for him to move to a new town and start a new life. They eventually made their way to the desk where the plans and the prototype lay. Joseph grabbed them up and shoved them in his bag only to be smacked once again on the back. Nick roared angrily, shouting that it was his haul and that he would have none of Joseph holding the goods. Joseph stared dumbfounded at the oaf, how could he be so stupid. He began to run even before Nick processed what he had done, not moments later the baying of the gunsmiths two prized warhounds could be heard. The run out was less painful than the creep in and Joseph made the wall mere seconds before Nick. He scaled the rope they had left there and turned to see Nick almost to the top. He even started to reach down to help the man up and over, but something deep down inside creeped up again. That cold feeling that resided in his heart seemed to move to suffuse the whole of his being. He looked, smiled warmly down at Nick, and promptly kicked him square in the face. He watched as Nick fell the eight feet to the ground and simply kick the tie off point for the rope over as well. The screams of wounded man and gnashing of dogs slavering jaws was the music that accompanied his stroll back. Walk he thought to himself, running would draw attention. It took him the better part of the next day to track down Nick's patrons. Hardly worth the effort it would seem. They had dealt with Nick and did not know Joseph. They shook him down for the goods and then kicked him to the curb. Normally a man would have fumed and seethed or broken down in defeat. Joseph just calmly walked to the local constables precinct, informed them of the grave injustice going on in this fair city, and went with the group of rocks(seems like a perfect thieves' cant for officers of the RHC) to where the Crisillyiri were staying all the while detailing their numbers and armaments. There he watched and waited as the constables brought the full force of the law down upon them, and even saw his chance to get in a good lick of his own as he wacked the head of the merchant, who had earlier rebuffed him and ordered his haul be taken from him, as he was trying to escape.
10 Minutes:
Five background and concept elements
1. Joseph was still born as a child and was only given a second chance because the spirit of his recently dead mother basically wiped herself from the cosmic scheme to give him the life he lacked.(Spirit Medium) 2. Due to Joseph's experience with death and the dead he has no faith whatsoever and believes it really doesn't matter. He is willing to listen to all faiths but does not follow them. 3. Joseph's years in the orphanage, and later years among the beggars guild, has made him an independent thinker and strong personality who is content to allow others the illusion of leading if it is his best interest. this being so, he is not afraid to take the mantle of leadership if it is either necessary or serves his purpose. 4. Joseph has left others out to dry before, both to save his skin and to complete the mission(see enemies). 5. Joseph's lack of parents, or parental figures in general, has left him with a soft spot for children who have lost their families and a need to prove himself to any he considers a superior. Two goals that are important
Two secrets
People
Quirky things
Character Sheet:
Init +0; Senses Perception +4
- - - - - DEFENSE - - - - - AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 hp 11 Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +0 - - - - - OFFENSE - - - - - Speed 30 ft. Melee Ranged Combat Options
Racial: Focused Study, Silver Tongued Class: +1/2 lvl to bluff to deceive, sneak attack 1d6
Feats
Skills
Equipment: Description:
You see before you a man of average height and wiry build. He seems to stand with purpose, his long black waves and patch of scruff he calls a beard do nothing to soften the intensity of his stare. His voice almost breaks the image as he speaks, a strangely calming melodic timber reassures you it is all going to be OK. At the sametime his cold blue eyes bore into you for a moment before staring past you as if the air itself held more interest than you ever will. Through this all you fond you just want to make him see that you matter, that you have worth. |
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